MACA – Student brawls or mass fights between groups of students remain a serious issue in Indonesia. Beyond tarnishing the reputation of the education system, these brawls often result in fatalities, injuries, and psychological trauma. Addressing this problem requires collaborative efforts from schools, families, the government, and the community. Below are several strategies to minimize student brawls:
- Strengthening Character Education in Schools
Schools must take the lead in shaping students’ character. Integrate values such as tolerance, empathy, and conflict resolution into daily curricula. Examples include:
– Guidance Counseling Programs: Counselors should actively identify students at risk of involvement in brawls and provide psychological support.
– Anti-Violence Workshops: Invite psychologists or former brawl participants to share experiences about the negative impacts of violence.
– Promoting a Culture of Peace: Encourage activities like meditation, healthy debates, or group discussions to train emotional control.
- Active Family Involvement in Supervision
Families are the primary environment shaping a child’s personality. Parents should:
– Build open communication with their children to understand their challenges.
– Monitor their children’s social circles and activities outside school, including social media use.
– Model non-violent conflict resolution.
- Optimizing Extracurricular and Positive Activities
Students engaged in positive activities tend to be more productive and avoid brawls. Schools and local governments can:
– Provide facilities for sports, arts, or skill development (e.g., robotics, music, entrepreneurship).
– Organize healthy inter-school competitions to channel negative energy into achievements.
– Involve students in social activities, such as community service or anti-brawl campaigns.
- Collaboration with Security Authorities and the Community
– Police as Child Friends Program: Enhance this initiative by regularly conducting legal socialization (e.g., Law No. 35/2014 on Child Protection) and explaining legal consequences of brawls.
– Rapid Reporting System: Encourage communities near schools to report signs of potential brawls via hotlines or apps.
– Joint Patrols: Conduct collaborative patrols involving police, school security, and community volunteers in high-risk areas.
- Leveraging Social Media for Peace Campaigns
– Encourage students to create creative content like videos, posters, or anti-brawl challenges on TikTok or Instagram.
– Schools can form digital teams to monitor and report provocative content that may incite violence.
- Restorative Justice Approach
Instead of punitive measures, schools and authorities can adopt restorative solutions, such as:
– Mediation between perpetrators and victims to address the root of conflicts.
– Community service programs as a form of accountability.
- Creating a Safe School Environment
– Install CCTV in high-risk areas and restrict outsider access to school premises.
– Establish anti-brawl task forces comprising teachers, students, and parents.
Student brawls cannot be resolved overnight. Long-term commitment is needed to build collective awareness of the importance of peaceful coexistence. Through synergy between character education, family support, law enforcement, and community empowerment, a culture of violence can be replaced with healthy competition and solidarity. Let’s work together to create a young generation that is intelligent, accomplished, and anti-violence! *
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